Who Owns Giant Panda Cubs Born Abroad?

Who Owns Giant Panda Cubs Born Abroad

Since China first began international cooperation on giant panda conservation research in 1994, all giant pandas living abroad as part of this program, along with their offspring, specimens, and derivatives as stipulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), are owned by China. Additionally, it is generally required that cubs born abroad be returned to China before they turn four years old.

Giant pandas are a rare and endangered species unique to China. From both a legal perspective and according to cooperation agreements, China retains ownership of all giant pandas, their cubs, and any related genetic material.